What is Arundo Donax? Why remove it?
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More information on Arundo!
What Is Arundo Donax?
Commonly know as Giant Reed, or Giant Cane, this extremely fast growing plant resembles bamboo. It grows up to 4 inches per day, and reaches 30 feet tall. It often colonizes stream banks and damp areas, but can grow in any of our local conditions. It was brought here by Spanish missionaries to use as a building material. It has escaped into wildland areas but it has little or no value for wildlife.
WHY Remove this Plant?
- Arundo is aggressively invasive plant. It spreads quickly and forms thick stands. It chokes stream banks. Small pieces that break off can readily establish new colonies further downstream.
- Arundo is a fire hazard. This plant is very flammable. It burns even when green. Its height and dry leaves and stalks makes it a fire-ladder that enables flames to reach up into nearby trees. This is a dangerous plant to have near roadways where lighted cigarettes may be carelessly thrown. It can turn stream channels, which are usually damp, fire-resistant barriers into pathways for fire to travel.
- Arundo can exacerbate flooding. During storms clumps may break away from banks and clog up swelling streams because the shallow roots don’t hold to the bank.
- Arundo displaces useful native plants and ruins habitat. This fast growing reed crowds out native plants that provide food, shelter and nesting sites for our local birds and wildlife. It can quickly turn a richly diverse stream ecosystem into a wasteland devoid of any habitat value except for non-native rats.
- Arundo wastes water. Its root system sucks up water at a much more rapid rate than native vegetation. It deprives the soil and other plants of water, thus changing and drying out the ecosystem.
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Arundo Removal in Alhambra Creek Watershed